The following context report about West Warwick High School in West Warwick, Rhode Island. This report is written for future teachers to decide if this is the school they would like to teach at. Also, this report may be used by parents that are deciding if West Warwick is the town they would like to raise their family. This report was written to inform people and give them an inside look at West Warwick High School. This report will talk about the strengths and weaknesses in the community. It will address diversity, test scores, and population in the West Warwick District. Last, this report will include This will inform you about teacher qualification, test scores, and trust for West Warwick High School. West Warwick sets academic standards and has a high curriculum, which brings the community together (WWPS School Committee 2003-2008)
Community Background
The success of a school is largely based on support from the community. The town was once a thriving mill town. West Warwick was originated in 1913, making it the earliest town in Rhode Island. West Warwick split from Warwick when the local Democratic politicians wanted to separate from the Republicans in the east. After that, West Warwick has been through difficult times since the collapse of Rhode Island's textile industry (NationMaster.com 2003-05).
West Warwick's population is 29,581, and have a 6.2% minority rate. In comparison, the US is composed of approximately 25% minorities.
Although, West Warwick has positive qualities such as its diverse background, it also has negative aspects. The community has poverty concerns. About 66.8% of the population sixteen and over are employed. In 1999, the average household income was $39,505, and 9.2% of families are below poverty level (US Census Bureau 2000). Since 1990 children in poverty increased more than half. In 2007 about 18% of children live below poverty level. (Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics 2007). Now one-third of children in public schools qualify for free or reduced price for lunch. The number of families headed by a single mother grew one third since 1990. 18% of all families are single parent families. This is a higher rate than characteristic of an Urban RIng. There has been a decline in the home ownership rate in every ethnic group except white. White people still are at 55%. In 2001 West Warwick had a higher proportion of people in manufacturing jobs than most urban communities at 27%. 29% of jobs in West Warwick are in retail, 22% locally based employment, 32% office occupations, and 26% in management and professional occupations (West Warwick 2001).
District Summary
Rhode Island has standards for all of its teachers. All elementary and secondary teachers must have a Bachelors degree, full state certification. They also much show that they know a subject matter by having major or taking a series of tests. (Infoworks, 2007)
The population of a district has a lot to do with how schools are set up. There are six schools in the West Warwick School District, with a population of about 3,795 students. West Warwick is classified as a being or close to being a mid-sized city. There are 273 full-time teachers. In the classroom the student to teacher ratio is 1:10, which is the state average. The total per-pupil expenditure is 12,818 dollars which is 118 above the state average. (West Warwick District reform 2002).
Accountability tests illustrate how well the school is doing. West Warwick Elementary and Middle Schools thirty-six out of the thirty-seven accountability targets. The High School made thirty-five out of the thirty-seven targets. The state assessment results state that West Warwick Public Schools have made significant improvement in the area of reading at all grade levels, moderate improvement in mathematics, and no improvement in writing. The West Warwick School District states that teachers have been involved in professional development activities which are focused on mathematics and writing. They also say that 2004-2006 District Improvement Plan, which is focused on reading has "paid off." The West Warwick School District stated in their 2004-06 District Improvement Plan some goals such as, "Conducting a variety of student, staff, and family workshops on cultural diversity, opposing views and demographic ideals. Also to develop a process to ensure that district mandated curriculum, programs, and assessments are used in every classroom" (West Warwick SD 2003-2008).
Diversity has a lot to do with how the school is run. In West Warwick District about 85% of children attend public schools. There is only 2% of students recieve ESL, and 21% of students receive special education program assistance. The majority of students in the West Warwick school district are white, 84%. 4% of students are African American, 2% Asian, 8% Hispanic, and 1% Native American. Almost all group academic numbers for West Warwick are well above the 2007 state target for English Language Arts, and meets the target for Mathematics. The only group that did not meet the state target is students with disabilities. The attendance rate is about 93%, and the graduation rate is about 81%, this is above state's target goal. Yet, the schools dropout rate, 19%, is 8% above state average. The rate of suspensions are double the state average (Info works 2000).
West Warwick Senior High School
Teacher qualification is extremely important when it comes to teaching children. In West Warwick 18% of classes are not taught by high qualified teachers, 16% of teachers have been teaching for more than 25 years. No teachers in West Warwick have been in the field of education for less than a year, and 27% have been in the building for three years or less.
Eleventh grade students take a New Standards Reference Exam every year. A school's and districts progress are measured from these exams. Target goals are set by the state in order to judge how well the school is doing academically. Over the past three years mathematic percent proficiency has gone up slightly and is at state average. Yet, english and language arts percent proficiency has gone significantly down over the past three years and is now slightly under the state average (infoworks 2007). Although the school is slightly under state average for english and language arts, West Warwick is above the 2007 state target for seven out of eight groups of students (US Census Bureau 2000). They met twelve out of thirteen target goals. The percent of students who met or exceeded the standard is less than the state average in every category. West Warwick's SAT scores are higher than the average in every category but math. For the verbal average West Warwick is 19 points above the state average and 23 points above the state average for writing.
A trust between students and teacher is important in order for the school to strive. In West Warwick about 18% of students feel they can talk to their teachers about personal problems, and 50% feel they can talk to them about academic problems. 29% say they were robbed one or more times in school, and 29% say someone tried to sell them drugs in school one or more times. About 98% of students participate in career participation programs which is high about the state average of 70% (US Census Bureau 2000).
Conclusion
In conclusion, West Warwick is a diverse town. Although the town has a lot of people in poverty, it is in the process of changing. The District is focusing on an improvement plan that has paid off, based on test scores. West Warwick High School's skills are under average. Yet, with their well qualified teachers, that may soon change. It is obvious that West Warwick is making an attempt to improve its school and have a positive learning experience for its students.
Title: West Warwick Senior High School
Introduction
The following context report about West Warwick High School in West Warwick, Rhode Island. This report is written for future teachers to decide if this is the school they would like to teach at. Also, this report may be used by parents that are deciding if West Warwick is the town they would like to raise their family. This report was written to inform people and give them an inside look at West Warwick High School. This report will talk about the strengths and weaknesses in the community. It will address diversity, test scores, and population in the West Warwick District. Last, this report will include This will inform you about teacher qualification, test scores, and trust for West Warwick High School. West Warwick sets academic standards and has a high curriculum, which brings the community together (WWPS School Committee 2003-2008)Community Background
The success of a school is largely based on support from the community. The town was once a thriving mill town. West Warwick was originated in 1913, making it the earliest town in Rhode Island. West Warwick split from Warwick when the local Democratic politicians wanted to separate from the Republicans in the east. After that, West Warwick has been through difficult times since the collapse of Rhode Island's textile industry (NationMaster.com 2003-05).West Warwick's population is 29,581, and have a 6.2% minority rate. In comparison, the US is composed of approximately 25% minorities.
Although, West Warwick has positive qualities such as its diverse background, it also has negative aspects. The community has poverty concerns. About 66.8% of the population sixteen and over are employed. In 1999, the average household income was $39,505, and 9.2% of families are below poverty level (US Census Bureau 2000). Since 1990 children in poverty increased more than half. In 2007 about 18% of children live below poverty level. (Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics 2007). Now one-third of children in public schools qualify for free or reduced price for lunch. The number of families headed by a single mother grew one third since 1990. 18% of all families are single parent families. This is a higher rate than characteristic of an Urban RIng. There has been a decline in the home ownership rate in every ethnic group except white. White people still are at 55%. In 2001 West Warwick had a higher proportion of people in manufacturing jobs than most urban communities at 27%. 29% of jobs in West Warwick are in retail, 22% locally based employment, 32% office occupations, and 26% in management and professional occupations (West Warwick 2001).
District Summary
Rhode Island has standards for all of its teachers. All elementary and secondary teachers must have a Bachelors degree, full state certification. They also much show that they know a subject matter by having major or taking a series of tests. (Infoworks, 2007)The population of a district has a lot to do with how schools are set up. There are six schools in the West Warwick School District, with a population of about 3,795 students. West Warwick is classified as a being or close to being a mid-sized city. There are 273 full-time teachers. In the classroom the student to teacher ratio is 1:10, which is the state average. The total per-pupil expenditure is 12,818 dollars which is 118 above the state average. (West Warwick District reform 2002).
Accountability tests illustrate how well the school is doing. West Warwick Elementary and Middle Schools thirty-six out of the thirty-seven accountability targets. The High School made thirty-five out of the thirty-seven targets. The state assessment results state that West Warwick Public Schools have made significant improvement in the area of reading at all grade levels, moderate improvement in mathematics, and no improvement in writing. The West Warwick School District states that teachers have been involved in professional development activities which are focused on mathematics and writing. They also say that 2004-2006 District Improvement Plan, which is focused on reading has "paid off." The West Warwick School District stated in their 2004-06 District Improvement Plan some goals such as, "Conducting a variety of student, staff, and family workshops on cultural diversity, opposing views and demographic ideals. Also to develop a process to ensure that district mandated curriculum, programs, and assessments are used in every classroom" (West Warwick SD 2003-2008).
Diversity has a lot to do with how the school is run. In West Warwick District about 85% of children attend public schools. There is only 2% of students recieve ESL, and 21% of students receive special education program assistance. The majority of students in the West Warwick school district are white, 84%. 4% of students are African American, 2% Asian, 8% Hispanic, and 1% Native American. Almost all group academic numbers for West Warwick are well above the 2007 state target for English Language Arts, and meets the target for Mathematics. The only group that did not meet the state target is students with disabilities. The attendance rate is about 93%, and the graduation rate is about 81%, this is above state's target goal. Yet, the schools dropout rate, 19%, is 8% above state average. The rate of suspensions are double the state average (Info works 2000).
West Warwick Senior High School
Teacher qualification is extremely important when it comes to teaching children. In West Warwick 18% of classes are not taught by high qualified teachers, 16% of teachers have been teaching for more than 25 years. No teachers in West Warwick have been in the field of education for less than a year, and 27% have been in the building for three years or less.Eleventh grade students take a New Standards Reference Exam every year. A school's and districts progress are measured from these exams. Target goals are set by the state in order to judge how well the school is doing academically. Over the past three years mathematic percent proficiency has gone up slightly and is at state average. Yet, english and language arts percent proficiency has gone significantly down over the past three years and is now slightly under the state average (infoworks 2007). Although the school is slightly under state average for english and language arts, West Warwick is above the 2007 state target for seven out of eight groups of students (US Census Bureau 2000). They met twelve out of thirteen target goals. The percent of students who met or exceeded the standard is less than the state average in every category. West Warwick's SAT scores are higher than the average in every category but math. For the verbal average West Warwick is 19 points above the state average and 23 points above the state average for writing.
A trust between students and teacher is important in order for the school to strive. In West Warwick about 18% of students feel they can talk to their teachers about personal problems, and 50% feel they can talk to them about academic problems. 29% say they were robbed one or more times in school, and 29% say someone tried to sell them drugs in school one or more times. About 98% of students participate in career participation programs which is high about the state average of 70% (US Census Bureau 2000).
Conclusion
In conclusion, West Warwick is a diverse town. Although the town has a lot of people in poverty, it is in the process of changing. The District is focusing on an improvement plan that has paid off, based on test scores. West Warwick High School's skills are under average. Yet, with their well qualified teachers, that may soon change. It is obvious that West Warwick is making an attempt to improve its school and have a positive learning experience for its students.References
Information Works : Rhode Island Public Schools 2008 : School Reports. . Retrieved October 8, 2008, from http://infoworks.ride.uri.edu/2008/queries/FindSch.asp.
Mr. Kenneth Sheehan - WWPS School Committee. . Retrieved October 14, 2008, from http://www.westwarwickpublicschools.com/education/dept/deptinfo.php?sectiondetailid=236.
NationMaster - Encyclopedia: West Warwick, Rhode Island. . Retrieved October 7, 2008, from http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/West-Warwick,-Rhode-Island.
RI Kids Count Issue Brief Poverty. . Retrieved October 7, 2008, from http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:rJic713_3NcJ:www.rikidscount.org/matriarch/DocumentViewDirect.asp_Q_PageName_E_Issue%2BBrief:%2BChild%2BPoverty%2B2008+West+Warwick+RI+plan+for+poverty+level&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us&client=firefox-a.
WEST WARWICK. . Retrieved October 15, 2008, from http://74.125.45.104/search?q=cache:79pRy9jzldUJ:www.ripec.com/matriarch/DisplayLinksPage.asp_Q_PageID_E_66_A_PageName_E_pdfsdoc_A_LinksPageID_E_65+West+Warwick+student+degrees+statistics&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=us&client=safari.
West Warwick CDP, Rhode Island - Fact Sheet - American FactFinder. . Retrieved October 7, 2008, from http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=&geo_id=16000US4478260&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US44%7C16000US4478260&_street=&_county=West+Warwick&_cityTown=West+Warwick&_state=04000US44&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=null&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null®=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry=&show_2003_tab=&redirect=Y.
West Warwick School District Information and School Reports. . Retrieved October 15, 2008, from http://www.homes101.net/rhode-island-schools/west-warwick-sch-dist-d14042/.
West Warwick, Rhode Island -- Present. . Retrieved October 7, 2008, from http://www.westwarwickri.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={FCE13F19-DE68-44D5-863D-A43A58665387}.